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Argentina Right-back - Gonzalo Montiel
River Plate right-back Gonzalo Montiel is Argentina's best bet at right-back at Copa America 2021. Lionel Scaloni has another option in Udinese's Nahuel Molina. Montiel, however, seems to be the better choice as he is consistent and proficient in both attack and defence.
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He can play as a full-back and as a wing-back having trained under the tactically adept Marcelo Gallardo. The 24-year-old has garnered interest from several top European sides and looks like he could improve any side he joins.
Montiel is a great passer of the ball. He loves bombing forward and can play some wonderful incisive balls to find attackers in space. Montiel is also adept at crossing and can whip in some absolute beauties from the right wing.
Centre-back - Cristiano Romero
23-year-old Cristian Romero is a young Argentine centre-back who is being pursued by several top European clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool. Romero is currently on Juventus' payroll but enjoyed a stellar season on loan with Atalanta.
He made 42 appearances for Atalanta in the 2020-21 campaign and was a standout performer for them. Romero was excellent in the UEFA Champions League as well. He can assert himself in aerial duels and scored three goals this past season.
Romero is an intelligent player. His tough-tackling is well complemented by his ability to read the game and intercept play. He should be an automatic starter. However, he is not fully fit for Argentina's first game against Chile after suffering a muscle injury in the recent game against Colombia.
Centre-back - Nicolas Otamendi
Argentina will try to tap into veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi's experience at Copa America 2021. While their young centre-backs have impressed, the former Manchester City man has continued to be a regular feature in the starting XI.
He enjoyed a pretty decent season with Benfica. Otamendi will, however, need to be less error-prone and more disciplined at the back as he will truly need to marshall Argentina's backline.
Left-back - Nicolas Tagliafico
Nicolas Tagliafico is a vastly experienced left-back who has been plying his trade at the highest level for a long time now. The 28-year-old scored a goal and provided three assists in 25 appearances for Ajax in the 2020-21 Eredivisie season.
Tagliafico is good with the ball at his feet, is a neat passer and crosser of the ball and loves to tackle as well. Sevilla left-back Marcos Acuna is the alternative but Scaloni is likely to go with Tagliafico at Copa America 2021.
